New Orleans Saints' Jimmy Graham Is A Bad Matchup For New York Jets

By Nick Mamary

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

There is so much to creating matchup advantages in the NFL. Certain players handle opponents differently based on factors like size and speed. New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham presents difficulty because he possesses both of these desirable traits.

Two seasons ago Graham broke out as a dynamic tight end. Like Antonio Gates, Graham played college basketball. This background allows for a lot of his athletic ability to be on display. It also assisted in the evolution of professional tight ends from just blockers to the hybrid threat they are today.

Entering Sunday’s contest against the New York Jets, Graham already has registered eight touchdowns. In comparison, he had nine all of last season so he likely to smash his career-high total. New Orleans has so far been as explosive on offense as they have during Graham’s time in New Orleans.

As a point of interest in the upcoming matchup, seven years have passed since the draft when New York could have signed Drew Brees in 2006, but his torn labrum scared them away. Of course, Chad Pennington was also coming off another surgery for a torn rotator cuff.

Fast forward to present-day action, and there seems to be an issue for Gang Green. Antonio Allen and Dawan Landry have struggles with consistency in pass coverage. Corner Antonio Cromartie sometimes has trouble keeping up with fast playmakers. I look for Graham to score at least one touchdown and continue his solid season at the expense of the Jets.